IAAHPC urges veterinary professionals and the public to voice support for the American College of Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Medicine as it pursues AVMA recognition
Indianapolis, Indiana — May 26, 2026 — The International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) today announced its formal endorsement of the American College of Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Medicine (ACVHPM), a proposed Recognized Veterinary Specialty Organization (RVSO) currently petitioning the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) for official recognition.
IAAHPC is calling on veterinary professionals, pet owners, and allied health professionals to submit comments of support during the public comment period, which will be announced at www.acvhpm.info.
About the Proposed Specialty
The ACVHPM is dedicated to advancing the care of animals experiencing chronic, progressive, and quality of life-limiting conditions. The specialty integrates advanced multimodal pain and symptom management, individualized comfort-focused treatment planning, comprehensive quality-of-life assessment, skilled goals-of-care communication, end-of-life planning including euthanasia best practices, and bond-centered caregiver support including anticipatory grief and bereavement care.
Currently, no AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty provides formalized, in-depth training in hospice and palliative medicine — a critical gap the ACVHPM is designed to fill. Recognition would establish rigorous standards for advanced training and certification, provide veterinarians and the public with a clear pathway to identify qualified experts, and elevate animal welfare through improved comfort and reduced suffering at end of life.
“The animals and families we serve deserve the same standard of specialized, credentialed expertise that exists in human medicine. IAAHPC wholeheartedly endorses the ACVHPM’s petition and encourages every member of the veterinary community — and every pet owner who has experienced the difference compassionate end-of-life care makes — to submit a comment of support. This is a pivotal moment for our profession.” — Maja Redfern, DrMedVet, CHPV, MRCVS President, International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care
“Hospice and palliative care improves welfare and quality of life for animals and the people who care for them. Specialty recognition will support patients, caregivers, and the veterinary profession as we all work to continue advancing veterinary medicine and providing the best care for patients. Show support for recognition of veterinary hospice and palliative medicine as a specialty by submitting a public comment.” — Aja Senestraro, DVM, CHPV, CVPP, CCRP, CAC-IVCA, CVA, CVCH, CVTP, CVFT, CTCVMP Chair, ACVHPM Organizing Committee
Join Us: Free Webinar on June 10
To learn more about the proposed specialty and how to get involved, IAAHPC invites the veterinary community and the public to attend a free webinar:
From the Field to the Specialty Board: ACVHPM and the Future of Veterinary Hospice Care Wednesday, June 10, 2026 | 1:00 PM Eastern | 12:00 PM Central Free to attend | Open to all
Join ACVHPM Organizing Committee members Dr. Aja Senestraro and Dr. Tyler Carmack alongside IAAHPC Executive Director Coleen Ellis for a candid, informative conversation about what the proposed ACVHPM is, why it matters, and what the veterinary community can do right now to help make it a reality.
Attendees will learn what the proposed specialty college is and what it is not, how it differs from existing veterinary specialties, what recognition would mean for veterinarians, veterinary teams, and the animals and families they serve, where the petition process currently stands, and how IAAHPC is formally supporting the effort.
Have a question you’d like addressed during the webinar? Submit it in advance at https://form.jotform.com/261515630453048
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5517803361432/WN_Dd7jpImRSSWvGxtDsCn8Ng#/registration
This webinar is not approved for continuing education credit.
How to Submit a Comment of Support
When the public comment period opens, comments may be submitted at the AVMA’s comment site. The IAAHPC encourages submissions from:
- Veterinarians and veterinary technicians who practice or have interest in hospice and palliative care
- Veterinary specialists, educators, and researchers
- Pet owners who have experienced end-of-life veterinary care
- Allied health professionals including mental health practitioners who work alongside veterinary teams
- Veterinary associations and organizations
Comments should speak to the need for specialized training and credentialing in hospice and palliative medicine, the value this specialty would bring to patients, caregivers, and the profession, and any personal or professional experience with end-of-life veterinary care.
About IAAHPC
The International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care is the leading professional organization for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and allied health professionals dedicated to advancing the quality of life and end-of-life care for animals and their families. For more information, visit www.iaahpc.org.
About ACVHPM
The American College of Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Medicine is a proposed Recognized Veterinary Specialty Organization petitioning the AVMA and American Board of Veterinary Specialties for formal recognition. The Organizing Committee comprises more than 35 veterinary professionals from across the United States. For more information, visit www.acvhpm.info or contact ACVHPM@gmail.com.